Inmate mistakenly released from county jail

A Peoria County inmate was mistakenly released from the county jail but arrested again about three hours later.

LESLIE FARK

An inmate at the Peoria County Jail was mistakenly released Thursday, but was back in custody three hours later, authorities said.

Thaddeus Moore, 20, of 1703 N. Valley Ave. was booked into the jail Wednesday evening after Peoria police arrested him on charges of possessing and delivering a controlled substance.

Moore’s absence was noticed Thursday during an afternoon bond hearing in Peoria County Circuit Court in which he was to appear before Judge James Shadid.

"The wrong prisoner was released," Peoria County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Joe Needham confirmed Friday. "There were two people with the name Moore. One was due to be released; the other wasn’t."

Peoria police arrested Moore a second time — about three hours after the bond hearing — and he was taken back to jail. Moore remained there on $10,000 bond Friday night.

"The important thing is that he’s back," Peoria County Sheriff Mike McCoy said.

Who is responsible for wrongfully releasing Moore will be determined by an investigation that is underway, the sheriff said. He expected the probe to be finished Monday.

According to jail protocol, correctional sergeants and their supervisors have the authority to discharge prisoners. Correctional officers are not qualified to handle that responsibility. Close to 70 people are employed at the jail.

"Actions like this are unacceptable and we will not stand for it," McCoy said. "We will find out who’s responsible and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken."

Needham declined to discuss what repercussions will befall the employee found at fault because it is a personnel matter.

"Sometimes these things happen," said the chief deputy, though inmates are required to wear wristbands with their mug shot photo and personal information.

The Peoria County Jail receives between 40 and 65 new prisoners daily. Roughly, the same amount are released each day, Needham said. Friday’s approximate jail population was 450.